Few can have failed to notice that 2012 marks the centenary of the sinking of the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic with the loss of more than 1,500 lives. Among the many events being held to commemorate the anniversary, it’s hard to imagine a more moving and enjoyable occasion than the Titanic evening, put on as part of the Kennington Overseas Aid fundraising programme.

Performed by the delightful Quintessential Quintet — Marilyn Moore (soprano), Rebecca Martin (mezzo), Andrew Moore (tenor), Steve Mellin (baritone) and Nia Williams (piano) — the concert moved from songs written in tribute to those who lost their lives to popular songs from the Titanic era, performed around the serving of a delicious three-course meal.

The evening began in sombre mood with songs, readings and film footage that vividly recreated the disaster, from the moment the horror began to the dramatic rescue attempts and the gradual disappearance of the ship beneath the waves. The dignity and sincerity of the performers added to the sense of tragedy, and their rendition of Nearer My God to Thee — reportedly the final hymn played by the Titanic’s band as the ship sank — was spine-tingling.

After a break for hors d'oeuvres, the mood lightened with a selection of songs that would have been enjoyed by passengers in the Titanic ballroom. The rousing ballad, The Roast Beef of Old England, traditionally sung on board the Titanic just before the evening meal, brought us to our own main course.

The evening ended in even jollier mood with popular Music Hall songs from the Edwardian era, with audience participation, followed by some diet-busting desserts.

Among all the jollity, though, there was another serious purpose to the evening — to raise funds for Lunch4Learning, a project that tackles hunger among Ugandan schoolchildren by helping schools to grow their own food. For more information about this project, visit www.lunch4learning.org. For more on KOA, visit www.koa.org.uk.

The Quintessential Quintet can be contacted on terzina.nrs@gmail.com.